KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — It appears the final obstacle to the Western Michigan Broncos playing in this year’s Cotton Bowl has been eliminated thanks to Temple’s 34-10 upset win over Navy Saturday afternoon.
Navy was ranked 19th just behind WMU, which was ranked 17th. Despite having a couple of losses, it was felt that Navy had a much harder schedule and might get the nod for the Cotton Bowl over Western with a big win in their conference championship game. Instead, they lost.
Going to the Cotton Bowl is the very farthest WMU could possibly go this year, because of the way the bowls are handed out, and because WMU is a member of the Mid-American Conference, a group of five conference and not one of the power five conferences. It’s just the way it is, and everyone knew it before the season began. Coach P.J. Fleck posted it as their top goal at the beginning of the season.
If the selection committee follows its pattern to date, Wisconsin will likely be the team that WMU will play in Dallas.
Michigan will play Florida State in the Orange Bowl. Penn State’s Big Ten Conference victory over the Badgers will propel them to the Rose Bowl to play Colorado. And Ohio State will be playing for the National Championship in the final four with Washington, Clemson and Alabama.
If the Broncos are rated the top Group Five team, they will play the highest ranked team that doesn’t get into the other New Year’s Six bowls and the contracted bowls.
If the selection committee comes up with a surprise, then all predictions are off.
WMU will host a free watch party for the selection show, which will air on ESPN Sunday afternoon. The doors will open at Read Fieldhouse at 1:30 p.m. and they would like everyone seated by 2 p.m. when the show begins.
